roller rockers

[milstang31]

I have a '66 with a 289. I would like to put roller rockers on the heads since the old ones are original and are in need of replacing. I have heard that the heads need machined for guide plates, which you need. Are there any roller rockers I can purchase that are just bolt on, do I need guide plates, and will my stock pushrods work? Pretty much any information you can give me on adding roller rockers would be appreciated.
I just got my engine back from the machine shop and its already put back in the car I would like to avoid having to send the heads out again if I dont have to.

Thanks,
Chad

 

[2+2GT]

Your problem is the standard rocker studs are pressed in, which is a really poor idea with a high lift roller cam, which will tend to press them back out. If the original rockers were late 66 or later, they were the rail type, with no provision for guides in the head, requiring guide plates. Really, machining the bosses for screw-in studs and guide plates is pretty basic, any auto machine shop could do it easily, heck, I could do it at home.

 

[Blu-Steel]

Comp Cams makes a Magnum Pro roller tipped rocker part#( 1431 and 1442). One of them is a rail type rocker for use on long stem valves without guide plates. I have the early heads with integrated guide castings so I used the non-rail version. They look exactly like stock rockers except they have a roller tip and it under the stock vale covers.